The suspects accused of defrauding Sameer Africa chairman Naushad Merali of Sh10 million by impersonating President Uhuru Kenyatta have alleged their lives are in danger, citing surveillance and harassment.
Joseph Waswa and Isaac Wanyonyi, two of seven arrested in the case, claimed at a Nairobi press conference that they are being shadowed by unidentified individuals and police vehicles daily. Their lawyer, Cliff Ombeta, stated that clients face ongoing harassment despite court appearances and a directive to report weekly to a police station.
Ombeta said: "There is always a car in front of my client’s gate, one during the day and another at night. The police should desist from harassing my clients and wait for the day they will appear in court." Wanyonyi urged authorities to conduct investigations without endangering suspects' families.
Waswa alleged police tortured him during his arrest, stating: "The police arrested me, tortured me and used all manner of force during the arrest in total breach of the law that one is presumed innocent until proven otherwise." He denied any knowledge of the Sh10 million claim, adding: "What is Sh10 million? I don’t need to rob someone to get that money. I can still get it within three months."
The suspects, including Duncan Muchai, William Simiyu, David Luganya, Gilbert Kirunja, and Anthony Wafula, were arrested on February 22 and 23. They allegedly called Merali to facilitate land purchase payments while impersonating the president. All seven pleaded not guilty and were released on a Sh100,000 bond each. If convicted of conspiracy to defraud, they could face up to three years in prison.
